When people ask something you don't like or say something you don't like, do you respond in a defensive manner

Answer 1

sometimes. It depends on the details. In general I don't but obviously everybody has buttons.

Sometimes its ok to be defensive but i believe in picking battles.

Answer 2

Yes, I still do back-slide in this fashion at times, but I am happy to observe that my reactions to people's opinions have undergone significant changes.
For instance, I now rather listen or observe the input of the 'other' and examine my own involvement.
For instance:
Is this something I am interested in resolving with this person? In other words, is the subject of disagreement something that is important to me? And, does the opinion of this person matter to this importance?
Most of the times these days, I find myself in situations with people that are easy to deal with. Rarely does anyone say anything to me that I find offensive, and then I find it only mildly offensive and easy to let go.
This has not always been so.
At one time, I was tired of reacting defensively to accusations, insults and the like, and I coined a little ZEN phrase of my own:
"If a little dog pees on the stem of a big tree, does the tree even notice?"
As soon as I remembered that little mantra with each unpleasant input, that soon I was able to diffuse any defensiveness or further argument.
Now, after some years of practicing this little 'mantra', I find no occasion to be defensive, as I've had no offensives spoken to me - well, none that I've noticed, anyway.

Answer 3

No. I can't get defensive about someone else's point of view. What does that have to do with me, or what I believe? Even if that person were to make fun of my beliefs, it still wouldn't touch me because their opinion is irrelevant to me.

If a question is asked in a genuine quest for information or knowledge, then that is exciting and I don't get defensive from that either.

A discussion between people of differing beliefs who nevertheless respect one another's right to hold those beliefs is always interesting, so, again, no defensiveness.

So, I guess, my long-winded answer can be summed up: "no"

Answer 4

I usually say "If you forgive me for not answering, I will forgive you for asking" It gets the point across without being too defensive.

Answer 5

Only if I feel that I am being judged or if the question is stupid. Other than that I try to give an honest answer.

Answer 6

I say that I am not comfortable with that particular question do you want to rephrase it and in the question of something I don't like, I say, I am not comfortable with what you said, can we drop that subject.

Answer 7

I am usually very sweet...but my good friend Crow....He is quite the wise acre and occasionally answers with a harmless,yet witty bite.

Answer 8

i use to,but i had to remember that people are entitled to their own thoughts and ideas and just because they may not agree with me doesnt make them wrong or because they said something that i dont like should make me have a bad day.people are entitled to their own opinions, i wont allow someone else to steal my joy.amen

Answer 9

Who's being defensive? why do you need to know? what are you hiding? are you guilty or something? who said I don't like your question? what do you have against me, anyway? I just know you're up to something sneaky...is that a trick question? what are you looking at? eye problem?...etc., etc...heh, heh, heh...not defensive, OFFENSIVE!!!

Answer 10

if we're talking about religion and im speaking with friends and family in real life i just blow it off....just go with the flow. unless they're looking for an arguement.

on here its hard not to be sarcastic.